The 2006 Surgeon General's Report on The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke concluded that there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure. The Report also concluded that only eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects nonsmokers from exposure. A Healthy People 2010 objective calls for all states to implement laws making enclosed workplaces and public places smoke-free. Another Health People 2010 objective calls for the elimination of state laws that preempt local smoke-free ordinances. We sought to assess recent progress towards these objectives.

Methods:

CDC's State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System tracks state tobacco control legislation. Using the STATE System as its data source, this presentation will review recent trends in state smoke-free and preemptive legislation.

Results:

The number of states with smoke-free provisions in various settings has increased in recent years. The number of states with provisions preempting local smoking restrictions has decreased. The presentation will include the latest specific numbers in these areas. The presentation will also include a discussion of issues, considerations, and challenges in analyzing this legislation.

Conclusions:

There has been unprecedented progress in recent years in state smoking restrictions. Increasing numbers of states have enacted comprehensive smoke-free laws. Several states have also repealed provisions in state law that preempt local smoking restrictions. These trends would be expected to result in further reductions in secondhand smoke exposure among U.S. nonsmokers.